Despite several setbacks, Buena Vista Carneros Winery has proven that it is capable of producing great wines no matter what the world has to throw at it. Founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery. Unlike many wineries, smooth sailing was not in the cards for Buena Vista. During a trip to Nicaragua, Agoston Haraszthy died, supposedly while crossing a crocodile-infested river. Still, the winery pressed forward, carving a name for itself in California. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again, when a massive earthquake in 1906 destroyed their underground cellars. It wasn’t until 1940 that the winery recovered, thanks to Frank Bartholomew, as well as the winemaking skills of Andre Tchelistcheff.

Today, Buena Vista Carneros Winery is clearly a success, since its original location just outside of the town of Sonoma is considered a California Historic Landmark. Since starting to grow wine grapes in Carneros in 1969, they have accumulated Read more »

Despite several setbacks, Buena Vista Carneros Winery has proven that it is capable of producing great wines no matter what the world has to throw at it. Founded in 1857 by Count Agoston Haraszthy, Buena Vista is California’s oldest premium winery. Unlike many wineries, smooth sailing was not in the cards for Buena Vista. During a trip to Nicaragua, Agoston Haraszthy died, supposedly while crossing a crocodile-infested river. Still, the winery pressed forward, carving a name for itself in California. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again, when a massive earthquake in 1906 destroyed their underground cellars. It wasn’t until 1940 that the winery recovered, thanks to Frank Bartholomew, as well as the winemaking skills of Andre Tchelistcheff.

Today, Buena Vista Carneros Winery is clearly a success, since its original location just outside of the town of Sonoma is considered a California Historic Landmark. Since starting to grow wine grapes in Carneros in 1969, they have accumulated almost 500 acres in Carneros, with over 100 separate vineyard blocks, all under the guidance of winemaker Jeff Stewart.

As with the 2005 Buena Vista Merlot tasted recently, the Carneros Chardonnay was both surprisingly tasty and very well priced. Cool-climate feel to its fruit intensity and lively, crisp texture. Rich citrus and pear fruit along with toast and spice fr...

Inviting nose of banana cream, vanilla and Anjou pear tart. Slight salted caramel aroma. Honeyed fruit and luscious creaminess. On the palate, it enters with a surprising crispness given the creamy nose. Tropical fruits with mango, guava and golden apple and pear. Creamy vanilla appears on the mid palate with the slightest hint of toast/woo...
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Very attractive clear golden yellow in the glass. Very big tropical fruit nose. There is fruit on the palate, but not as much as I feared. Some oak, but again, not overly so. The mitigating factor that I think balances the tropical fruit and the oak is a nice refreshing acid component. This wine will go very nicely with tonight's roasted ch...
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Wine review
by
EMark

September 2012

As a Californian, I have felt the loss of such old names as Almaden, Christian Brothers and Inglenook. (OK, I guess Almaden still exists as a mocking shell of its former being. OK, I know it never was great, but their bottles did have corks. Maybe I am the only person who feels a sense of loss of Almaden.) Another of the old abused names is ...
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